Legislature Should Require a Pre-Audit of High-Value Contracts

Friday

Feb 15, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Last fiscal year, my office conducted 600 audits of contracts and agreements and found that 276 did not contain common-sense contracting standards — that's 46 percent. Considering this sampling, we are faced with the potential that nearly $23 billion could be at risk because of poorly written or badly managed contracts.

Last fiscal year, my office conducted 600 audits of contracts and agreements and found that 276 did not contain common-sense contracting standards — that's 46 percent. Considering this sampling, we are faced with the potential that nearly $23 billion could be at risk because of poorly written or badly managed contracts.

I am calling for the Legislature to require a pre-audit of high-value contracts to ensure that they contain elements that protect taxpayer dollars such as a precise scope of work, clearly defined deliverables, minimum performance standards and financial consequences for failure to deliver goods and services.

I am advocating for consistent elements in all agreements and across-the-board standards for training those who execute agreements on the state's behalf. If we can correct these errors on the front end, we can ensure that the promised goods and services are delivered at the best value for Florida taxpayers.

The goal of these reforms is to promote value, integrity, transparency, accountability and public confidence in the state's contracting processes, which are lacking in the current system.

Last year, my office launched a web-based transparency tool called the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System to allow citizens to search and review state contracts online. We can continue to improve transparency and accountability by implementing these common-sense reforms to our state contracting processes.

Just as families in Florida are mindful of the money they spend, your government has an obligation to do the same. Wasted dollars will not be tolerated; all state contracts should reflect the highest ethical and fiscal standards — clear, consistent and measurable.

JEFF ATWATER

Chief Financial Officer

Department of Financial Services

Tallahassee

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